[dropcap size=small]D[/dropcap]igging deep for the courage to set back her medical struggles, junior Brooklyn Pesenti has to push her way through a condition most don’t. Pesenti plays volleyball and softball for the high school and excels at both sports.
Recently she was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation 1 and Syringomyelia. Her brain was too big for her skull, growing into her spinal column, causing the spinal fluid to be restricted from flowing throughout her body and forming three fluid sacks in her spine. Surgery and doubt lay ahead for Pesenti and her family.
“While I was preparing for surgery, there were many thoughts going through my head. A lot of negatives, but I tried to stay positive and tried not to think too much about what was going on,” Pesenti said. “I didn’t want it to affect me mentally because it had already affected me physically. It definitely brought me down. However, I never would’ve imagined having to go through something like I did.”
During the surgery, the surgeons went in and removed a part of her skull to create room for the fluid to flow. They also took out her C1 vertebrae to help the fluid flow easier through her body.
According to physio-pedia.com, 20% of patients suffering from Syringomyelia died at an average age of 47. Syringomyelia has a prevalence of approximately 8.4 out of 100.000 individuals.
“The biggest thing I worried about was something going wrong in surgery and me not being able to play sports again. Sports are a big part of my life, and although I can’t participate in soccer anymore due to the contact, I am still able to play softball and volleyball, so I am extremely thankful,” Pesenti said.
As everybody who knew Pesenti was crossing their fingers in hopes of a successful surgery, their hopes were answered when she came out of the surgery in good condition. Post-surgery she felt good, and she is now working on coming back stronger and better than ever to doing what she loves. It’s definitely going to take her some time, but with her coaches and trainers guidance she knows she can do it.
Vicky Luna has been a coach and friend by Pesenti’s side since her middle school years at Flamson Middle School.
“Brooklyn has the best work ethic! She always gives 100% at everything she does. As a coach I know I can always count on her. As a 16 year old young lady, she has a very bright future ahead of her,” Luna said.
Luna’s printing company Fluid Screen Printing made shirts, sold for $20 each. All sales went directly to the Pesenti family to help with the surgery.
“[Brooklyn] is always there for her friends, family, and teammates. She is my role model, and I wouldn’t want to be by anyone else’s side,” junior Ireland Lynch said. Lynch has been Brooklyn’s best friend and teammate since earliest memories . “She is an amazing teammate, always wanting what’s best for her team,” Lynch said.
Scores of supporters wore the Brooklyn shirts — or light blue — on surgery day in September and again on “Pesenti Night” in the game against AGHS Tues Oct. 5.
Pesenti is still recovering from surgery physically and mentally, but she’s scheduled to return to school Monday, Oct. 11th and sports December of 2021. Although Pesenti will not be able to return to volleyball, she will be on the bench cheering and pushing her teammates to their fullest potential.
